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The Sand & McGrath Visiting Writers Series brings to campus some of the finest contemporary writers to read and share their work with students, faculty, and the community. The series has featured more than 150 featured writers and has sponsored or supported more than 50 other writers and events since its inaugural season. The series is named in honor of the late Thomas R. Sand and the late Thomas McGrath. Tom Sand was a political strategist, researcher, and writer who helped shape Minnesota and federal agricultural and social policies for more than four decades. Thomas McGrath was an internationally recognized and award-winning author who taught at Moorhead State University from 1969-1983.

“Now the long freight of autumn goes smoking out to the land. My possibles are all packed, but still I do not leave. I am happy enough here, where Dakota drifts wild into the universe...” —Tom McGrath, from Beyond the Red River Valley

More than 10,000 people have attended these free, public events since 1985. The series also sponsors readings by writers from the MSU Moorhead faculty and from the region upon publication of their new books.

Some of the many distinguished visiting writers have included U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins; Pulitzer Prize winners Carol Shields and Ted Kooser; National Book Award Winners Robert Bly and William Stafford; and National Book Critics Circle Award winners Louise Erdrich and B.H. Fairchild.

Upcoming Sand & McGrath Visiting Writer Series Events

• Shred
  Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 4:00-6:00 pm
  Comstock Memorial Union (CMU) 105
  Kevin Carollo, Professor of English, ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø, will read from and discuss his recent book Shred, Thursday, April 24, CMU, Room 105, 4:00-6:00 pm, followed by a Q&A. Books will be available for purchase. This event is free and open to the public. Please join us!

Previous Sand & McGrath Visiting Writer Series Events

• Clouds are the Mountains of the World
  Tuesday, September 24, 2024 | 7:30 pm
  Gaede Stage, Roland Dille Center for the Arts
  Alan Davis, Professor Emeritus of English, ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø, will read from his recent publication, Clouds Are the Mountains of the World for the Sand & McGrath Visiting Writers Series, Tuesday, September 24, 2024 on the Gaede Stage. The reading is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 PM.